Amusement device.



C. H. vCOX.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17. l9!6.

1,217,714. Patented Feb. 27, 1917;

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 17. l9l6f v, 1,217 ,71 4. Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHE T 2.-

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CHARLES H. ooX, or GRAND JUNCTION, coLoRAno.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 27, 1917.

Application filed May 17, 1916. Serial No. 98,181.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES Cox, av citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Junction, in the county of Mesa and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to amusement devices, and particularly to amusement devices of that character comprising animal figures adapted to be employed as targets for a pro.- jectile, such as a baseball, bullet or the like, and which embodies movable parts adapted to be set into operation when the bulls-eye of the animal figure or target is struck.

One object of my invention is to provide an amusement device of the'general character set forth, and which is preferably embodied in the form of a mule carrying a rider on his back, and which is provided with a jointed head and hind legs, combined with means operating when the center of the object is struck by a ball or bullet to throw the operating mechanism into action to cause the mule to buckor kick and also shift the rider to a disappearing position, simulating the motion of the rider being thrown off the animal.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interesting and amusing device of the character described wherein provision is made for sounding a horn imitative of the braying of the animal when in the act of kicking, and also for sounding bells or other alarm devices to indicate to the person throwing the ball or shooting the gun that a center hit has been made.

A still further object of the invention is to provide electrical illuminating means, which is also set into action when the center is struck, to light up the eyes or other portions of the figures.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accomtarget center is struck and the mule kicks or bucks and displaces the rider.

diagrammatic view of the elecmain animal figure, which is herein shown in the form of a mule or other draft animal,

and 2 designates a secondary animal figure, hereinshown as simulating the upper portion of the body of a man, riding the mule,

and which, for purposes of differentiation, will be hereinafter termed the rider. While figure 1 is shown as being an animal figure, more particularly intended for amusement purposes to represent a refractory mule, it will, of course, be understood that any other animal figure may be substituted therefor.

Figure 1 comprises a body portion 3 mounted at the front upon a pair of fixed depending legs 4,-which may be firmly secured to a fioor or other foundation, said body 8 being integrally or otherwise rigidly connected with the said legs 4, as indicated at 5. The body is also provided with a head portion 6, pivoted thereto, as indicated at 7, for movement in a vertical plane, and with apair of vertically swinging hind legs 8. In practice, the rider 2 is preferably mounted upon the upper end of an arm or lever 9 pivoted, as indicated at 10, to the body 3 of the figure 1 to swing in a vertical plane, and this lever 9 has an extension 11 and carries the legs 8, whereby the figure 2 and legs 8 are mounted to swing simultaneously and in unison with each other. If desired, the head portion 6 may have its mouth portion provided with a movable lower jaw 12 hinged or pivoted, as indicated at 13 for movement to opened and closed positions, and which is normally held closed by a. spring 14 and is provided with an arm 15 coupled to a connection 16 whereby the movable jaw 12 may beactuated. The connection 16 may be, as shown, in the form of rods or bars extending to a member 17 representing the arms of the rider 2, which rods are sition or elevated the arms 17 will also be in normal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and so that when the portions 2 and 6 are swung downward or depressed the connection 16 will transfer motion to the jaw 12 to swing the same rearwardly and thus simulating the act of the animal in opening its mouth. The head portion 6 is provided with ears 19 carried by a swinging weighted arm or pendulum 20 which normally maintains the ears in an erect position, but operates, when the head portion 6 is depressed, to establish a relative movement between the same and the cars 19, whereby the latter ap pear to be thrown backward, as in the natural act of a mule which is bucking or kicking. tion which is pivotally mounted to swing in a vertical plane, as indicated at 23, and to this tail portion is pivoted one end of a slidably and pivotally mounted bar 24 adapted to be engaged by the extension 11 of the lever 10, whensaid lever is operated to depress the figure 2 and raise the legs 8, whereby the tail portion 22 will be elevated, the said tail portion and bar 24 returning to normal position by gravity after actuation and upon the return of the lever to normal position.

The parts of the figures 1 and 2 mentioned are constructed of stout boards or plates, provided with an outer padding or covering 25 and painted or otherwise prepared to give a more or less correct representation of the figures to be imitated, the lever 9 and parts carried thereby being mounted at the rear of the body 3 for movement as described, and the other movable parts being also mounted upon the rear side of said body 3 for movement, as shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 4.

The figure 2 isweighted in such a manner as to overbalance the weight of the lever extension 11, legs 8 and tail portion 22, and is adapted for cooperation with the head portion 6 to overcome the weight of the rear portion of the body 3 to swing or tilt said body in an upward and rearward direction, as hereinafter described. To said figure 2 or the upper portion of the lever 9 carrying said figure is attached a weighted member 26 carrying at its lower end a hinged latch or retaining member 27, which is in the form of a door or plate mounted to swing forwardly and rearwardly and adapted to normally cover a bulls eye or central opening 28 in the body 3, the outer face of said hinged latch or retaining member being painted to simulate a target center, which may form part of the representation of an imitation harness or regalia with which the animal is represented as being equipped. This retaining or latch member is adapted to engage a keeper or support 28 to hold the figure 2 from downward movement,

The body 3 is provided with a tail por- 7 whereby the parts 2, 6 and 12 are normally held elevated and the parts 8 and 22 allowed to assume by gravity their normally depressed positions.

The figure 1 is designed in practice to be used in an amusement resort or shooting gallery as a general. target for baseballs or bullets, the person throwing the balls or shooting the gun making an effort to hit the center hole or target opening 28 for the purpose of causing the mule to perform its intended antics, such as kicking or bucking and throwing the rider, etc., it being understood, of course, that any person successful in hitting the target may be given a suitable prize or reward, and, that the device may l e employed as a target for competitive events, etc. lVhen the person throwing or shooting at the target strikes the bulls eye, it will be apparent that the force of the blow on the retainer door or plate 37 will cause the same to swing out of engagen'ient with the keeper 28, thus freeing the figure 2 for movement. This figure will then fall. by gravity downwardly and forwardly and disappear behind the liody 3, as indicated. in Figs. 2 and 4, thus giving the effect of the rider being thrown by the animal, and in such downward movement of the figure 2 the head por tion 6 will be released by the relaxing of the connection 16 and permitted to drop by gravity. At the same time the lever extension 11 will be moved upwardly and rear wardly and will elevate the legs 8 and tail portion 22 in an obvious manner, the whole action giving the appearance of the animal 1 kicking in the characteristic manner of a mule and throwing the rider. At the same time the parts 12 and 19 will be moved to simulate the opening of the mouth of the animal as in the act of braying and the laying back of the ears 19 in a natural man ner, the entire operation being of a nature to cause interest and amusement. A suitable retracting cord or connection 29 may be coupled to the figure 2 or any related part and disposed so that after the operation of the device in the manner described the attendant or person in charge thereof may, by actuating said connection, return the parts to normal position and reset the device for the ensuing operation.

For the purpose of further simulating the natural actions of the animal, and furnishing accessory noises, etc., I provide an electric horn or sounding device 30, to give a sound simulating the braying sound of the natural animal, I may also provide one or more electric bells or sounding or alarm devices 31, and may provide the figure 2- and head portion 6 of the figure 1 with luminous eyes 32 and 33, which eyes may consist of lenses of glass or other suitable material behind which are arranged electric lamps. In practice, the eye of the figure 2 may show a red light and'the eye of the part 6 a green light, or other desired colors may be adopted. These devices are arranged within an electric circuit supplied from battery 34 or other suitable sources of electric energy. As shown, the horn 30 has its terminals connected with a conductor 35 connected with one of the poles 36 of the battery, with the other pole 37 of which is connected another conductor 38 coiiperating with the conductor 35 to form a. horn circuit. The conductor 35 is also connected with a metallic plate or contact'piece 39 fixed to the body 3 and which is adapted to be engaged by a movable contact piece 40 011 the lever 9 to cause said contact 40, in the upward and rearward movement of the part 11 of said lever, to glide over the contact plate 39 and thus close the horn circuit for a period of time to sound the horn to simulate the braying of the animal when bucking or kicking and also when resuming its natural position. This sounding of the horn occurs when the rider is thrown, the hind legs elevated and the head of the animal depressed and its mouth opened, thus simulating the natural action to a high degree. The contact 40 is fixed to the lever 9 and has connected therewith one end of a conductor 41 in which the bells 31 are arranged, and which is also connected with a contact plate 42 fixed to the body 3.

contacts 42 and 43 are adapted to be connect-- ed by a contact piece 45 on the figure 2 for the purpose of closing the bell circuit and causing the bells to'sound immediately following the sounding of the horn in the bucking or kicking action of the main figure. The contact 45 is also adapted for cotiperation with sets of contacts 46 and 47 connected by conductors 48 and 49 with the battery terminals and the terminals of the lamp of the luminous eye 32 of the figure 2, with which contacts 46 and 47 the contact 45 may be normally in engagement for the illumination of said eye. A hand switch 50 may be provided for cutting the bell 31, and lights 32 and 33 out of circuit when the apparatus is not in use in order to prevent waste of current. The contact 45 is'also adapted for cotiperation with contacts 51 and 52 connected by conductors 53 and 54 with thebattery terminals and the terminals of the lamp of the luminous eye 33, the arrangement being such that when the target center is struck and the figure 2 released the contact 45, which acts as a switch or circuit closer, will move out of engagement with the contacts 46 and 47 and into engagement with the contacts 51 and 52 and thus effect the extinguishment of the light associated with the eye 32 and the glowing of the lamp associated with the luminous eye 33, thus adding to the effect of the action when the mule bucks or kicks, as will be readily understood. It will be seen that the movement of the figure 2 from normal to releasing position and back again will effect the alternate glowing of the illuminated eyes 32 and 33 into and out of circuit, making the operation in this respect entirely automatic.

In the use of the device, it is set up, preferably within an inclosure and with a suitable back ground, at a proper distance from a point at which the balls are thrown or the bullets shot, and the controlling device 29 extended to a suitable point to enable the attendant to reset the device after each oper ation in a ready and convenient manner. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that when the target latch is struck and released the weighted figure 2 will throw the movable parts of the figure 1 into operation in the manner hereinbefore set forth, thus giving a realistic and vivid effect of a refractory mule kicking or bucking and throwing its rider, which effect will be added to by the braying sound of the horn, the ringing of the bells, which may simulate bells attached to the harness, and the glowing of the luminous eye of the animal.

The structure disclosed is preferred, but it will of course, be understood, that changes inthe form, proportions and various features of construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

I claim VI. A device of the character described comprising an animal figure having movable portions, a rider normally disposed in riding position with relation to said figure, and means, operative when struck by a projectile, to effect the movement of the rider to a concealed position and actuation of the movable portions of said animal figure.

2. A device of the character described comprising an animal figure having movable portions, a rider normally disposed in riding position with relation to said figure, and means for normally holding the parts from movement and adapted to release the same for movement upon the impact of a projectile, the said rider being operative, by gravity to move to a concealed position and to effect the actuation of the movable portions of the animal figure.

3. A device of the character described comprising an animal figure having movation of the movable parts of the animal figure, and illusion producing means operative on the actuation of said parts,

t. A device of the character described comprising an animal figure having movable portions, a rider normally disposed in riding position with relation thereto, means operative upon the impact of a projectile to effect a movement of said rider to a disappearing position and the actuation of the movable parts of the animal. figure, and sound producing means operative upon the actuation of the said movable parts.

53. A device 01? the character described comprising an animal figure having movable portions, a rider normally disposed in riding position with relation to said figure, means operative under the impact of a projectile for effecting the movement oi said rider to a disappearing position and-the actuation of the movable parts of the animal figure, and illuminating means thrown into action upon the actuation of the said movable parts.

6.1K device oi the character describcdcomprising an animal figure having movable parts, a rider normally disposed in a predetermined position with relation to said figure, and movable to a disappearing position with relation thereto, means for normally retaining the parts in relatively fixed position, said means being operative on the impact of a projectile to efi'ect the movement of the rider to a disappearing position and the actuation of the movable parts of said animal figure, sound producing means operative on the actuation of the aforesaid movable parts, and illuminating means operative upon the actuation of said movable parts.

7. A device of the character described comprising an animal figure having movable portions, a second figure carried by the animal figure, electrical illuminating elements upon said figures, means operative to produce relative movement of the figures, and means for throwing said illuminating devices into and out of action on the movements of the figures.

8. A device of the character described comprising an animal figure simulating a donkey; said figure including movable head and leg portions, a riding figure movably mounted upon the donkey for motion from a riding to a disappearing position, said riding figure being 0 Jerative to effect movements of the said head and leg portions of the donkey to simulate a bucking or kicking action thereof, and means operative in such motion of the parts to produce a braying sound.

9. In a device of the character described comprising an animal figure in the form of a donkey having movable head and hind leg portions, a second figure in the form of a rider pivotally supported upon the first-named figure for movemc it between riding and disappearing positions, means automatically operative by said second figure when released for motion to lower the head portion and raise the movable leg portions of the animal figure, a detent forming a target and adapted to be relased by the impact of a projectile to permit motion of said second figure, an electric circuit including sounding devices, and means controlling said circuit for sounding said sounding devices, said means being operative by said second figure.

10. A device ot the character described comprising an animal figure in the form of a donkey having movable head and leg portions, a movable aw portion and a movable tail portion, a second figure in the form of a rider pivotally mounted upon the firstnamed figure for movement between the riding and disappearing positions, said second figure being operatively connected with the movable portions of the animal figure for throwing the same into action when said second figure is released for action, a tar 'et detent adapted to be released by the impact of a projectile to release said second figure for operation, an electric circuit con taining sounding and'illuminating devices, said sounding devices comprising a horn and bells and said illuminating devices comprising eyes upon the respective figures, and means governed by the movement of the second figure for normally maintaining the eye thereon into connection with the circuit and for successively throwing said eye out of connection with the circuit and connecting the eye of the animal figure, the horn and the bells with said circuit, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

CHARLES H. COX.

lVitnesses VJILLBURN H. Jones, ALFRED H. HUGHES.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

